What If? Reimagining the Role of Cultural Institutions as Agencies of Change in Cities

Bringing together cultural leaders, artists and producers who are testing out new ways of programming, collaborating and effecting change in their cities.

The significance of the civic role arts and culture play in our cities is undisputed. What remains unresolved is the extent to which the conventions of our nineteenth-century cultural institutions – the gallery, the museum, the theatre, the concert hall – remain the structures around which we might build newly relevant, bolder and more inclusive programmes.

This session, led by Arnolfini, brings together cultural leaders, artists and producers who are testing out new ways of programming, collaborating, and effecting change. The two discussion sessions will give an opportunity to reflect on provocations for new cultural leadership in our cities.

Sessions run 10.00am - 11.30am and 12.00pm - 1.30pm.

Speakers will include:

Sally Tallant, Director, Liverpool Biennial

David Jubb, CEO and Artistic Director, Battersea Arts Centre, London

Evie Manning, Co-Artistic Director, Common Wealth

Patrick Fox, Director, Heart of Glass, St. Helens

Andrew Barnett, Director of the UK Branch of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

You can also book in person at Watershed Box Office or by call 0117 927 5100.

Watershed's booking hotline is open Monday – Friday from 09:00 and Saturday & Sunday from 10:00.

These sessions are part of Festival of the Future City, which takes place across Bristol from 18-20 October.

Set over three days, the festival – which aims to be the largest public debate about the future of cities – brings together politicians, writers, artists, scientists, change-makers, academics, journalists, students, the public, economists, futurists, policy makers, roboticists, philosophers, filmmakers, think tanks, charities, social enterprises, city-builders and more.

Join us to explore the key issues for the future of our cities: how we can solve growing inequality and segregation; build healthy cities and places; foster sustainable cities; and explore a future of devolved powers. Find out more at futurecityfestival.co.uk